Apparatus for driving filamentary material collectors or bobbins



1967 R. E. SMITH ETAL 3,302,334

APPARATUS FOR DRIVING FILAMENTARY MATERIAL COLLECTORS OR BOBBINS Filed Nov. 26, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOIK Roy A. 5M/TH ////M' OJQEAR/"IH/Y A r Tom/5V5 Feb. 7, 1967 R. E. SMITH ETAL 3,302,384

APPARATUS FOR DRIVING FILAMENTARY MATERIAL COLLECTORS OR BOBBINS Filed Nov. 26, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORJE ROY f. SM/TH B W/l/MM OFEHRMA/Y A Tram/5Y5 1957 R E. SMITH ETAL APPARATU FOR DRIVING FILAMENTARY MATERIAL COLLECTORS 0R BOBBINS Filed NOV. 26, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORC) /P0 5. SM/ TH BY W/ ///AM 0 REHRMfl/Y A 7 TOP/V5 v5 Feb. 7, 1967 R. E. SMITH ETAL 3,302,334

APPARATUS FOR DRIVING FILAMENTARY MATERIAL COLLECTORS OR BOBBINS Filed Nov. 26, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet INVENTORR For t. 5/14/ 7'// y A T TO/P/VE vs United States Patent APPARATUS FOR DRIVING FILAMENTARY MA- I This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for driving strand or yarn collectors or bobbins and more particularly to a method and means for driving bobbins from supporting spindles of apparatus employed in processing, collecting or packaging textile strands or yarns.

It has been conventional practice in textile machines such as twister machines for twisting or plying yarns or strands wherein the bobbins or collectors are mounted on spindles driven at high speeds by driving belts wherein a large number of spindles are mounted in a bolster rail and are driven from a common drive arrangement.

The bobbins or collectors are of generally hollow cylindrical or tubular shape having a comparatively thin wall, the bobbin or collector being telescoped onto a driving spindle. Heretofore a conventional arrangement for establishing a drive between the spindle and bobbin comprised a plurality of circumferentially spaced plate springs on the spindle which frictionally engaged the inner wall of the bobbin to establish a drive.

By reason of the tension developed in the strand or yarn being collected upon the bobbin rotating at high speed, the springs establishing a drive between the bobbin and spindle must necessarily provide substantial friction to avoid slippage of the bobbin relative to the spindle during rotation. While such arrangements have been used extensively for forming comparatively small strand or yarn packages, the method is unsatisfactory in forming large packages at increased winding speeds.

The use of springs for establishing a drive between a bobbin and spindle has many deficiencies and disadvantages. The packages being formed are usually not in dynamic balance and springs necessarily do not effect positive centering of the bobbin on the spindle because of the resilient character of the springs. An out-of-balance condition, however slight, arising during packaging or twisting of strands or yarns results in serious vibration, particularly at high spindle speeds. The bobbins or collectors are usually eight or more inches in length and are usually formed of molded resinous material. In molding a bobbin from resinous material, the interior wall of the bobbin is provided with a slight draft or taper in order to remove the molded bobbin from the die. When a bobbin of this character is telescoped onto a spindle embodying a resilient spring drive, the springs at the upper end of the spindle are necessarily compressed to a greater extent than those near the opposite end of the spindle. This factor also fosters vibration of the rotating mass.

By reason of the use of comparatively stiff springs between the bobbin and spindle, the doffing of a completed package from the spindle and the telescoping of an empty bobbin onto the spindle become difiicult because of the effort required to overcome the friction of the drive springs. Furthermore, a spindle of this character accommodates only one size of bobbin or collector.

The present invention embraces a method of establishing an effective drive between a spindle and a bobbin or collector which is yieldable or mobile but provides positive centering of the bobbin with respect to the axis of the spindle during rotation of the spindle and bobbin.

Another object of the invention resides in a drive construction between a spindle and a bobbin or collector of a character adapted to substantially reduce or effectively "ice dampen vibration during high speed rotation of the spindle and bobbin.

Another object of the invention resides in a drive construction for a strand or yarn collecting bobbin wherein the completed package or filled bobbin may be easily dolled and an empty bobbin readily telescoped onto the spindle construction.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a drive component or components between a rotatable spindle and a strand or yarn collector or bobbin which are inexpensive and which are readily removable and replaceable.

Another object of the invention resides in an adaptor carrying a drive sleeve for assembly with a rotatable spindle provided with a novel locking means for quickly securing the adaptor to the spindle without the use of tools.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a drive component or components which may be fashioned in different sizes to accommodate bobbins of different sizes without modification of the bobbin supporting spindle.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a method of providing an effective drive between a spindle and a textile strandor yarn collecting bobbin of a character wherein yieldable or mobile material is influenced by centrifugal forces to establish a drive connection with the bobbin and wherein the material is relaxed under static conditions to facilitate easy removal of a filled bobbin and the positioning of an empty bobbin on the spindle.

Another object of the invention resides in a drive means or adaptor fashioned so as to be stressed or distorted under the influence of centrifugal forces to establish an effective drive between a spindle and a bobbin during rotation of the spindle.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this invention such as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the related elements of the structure, to various details of construction and to combinations of parts, elements per se, and to economies of manufacture and numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration of the specification and drawing of a form of the invention, which may be preferred, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a portion of a textile strand or yarn twisting or processing apparatus with which the bobbin driving method and arrangement of the invention has particular utility;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view illustrating a form of spindle mounting and bobbin drive arrangement of the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of the means establishing a drive between the spindle and bobbin shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is an elevational view ilustrating a modified form of drive means or drive connection for a bobbin;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating another form of drive component or means for establishing a bobbin drive;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating still another form of drive component or means for establishing a bobbin drive;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 88 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is an elevational view of a spindle illustrating another form of bobbin driving means shown in crosssection;

FIGURE 10 is an elevational view of the bobbin driving means shown in FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is an elevational view of a spin-dle equipped with adaptor components for the bobbin driving means;

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view of one of the adaptor components and bobbin drive connection shown in FIG- URE 11;

FIGURE 13 is an isometric view of a modified form of adaptor and locking means therefor shown in disassembled relation;

FIGURE 14 is an elevational view of a spindle or blade illustrating a pair of adaptors and drive sleeves of the character shown in FIGURE 13 mounted on the spindle or blade;

FIGURE 15 is an isometric view of another form of adaptor and locking means therefor shown in disassembled relation, and

FIGURE 16 illustrates still another form of adaptor and locking arrangement assembled on a spindle.

While the method and arrangement of the invention are particularly adaptable for establishing an effective drive between a spindle and a bobbin of a strand or yarn packaging or twisting apparatus, it is to be understood that the drive arrangement of the invention may be advantageously employed for driving rotatable collectors for packaging or processing other filamentary or (linear materials.

Referring to the drawings in detail and initially to FIG- URE 1, there is illustrated a conventional type of twister or twister apparatus 10 for processing filamentary materials. The apparatus 10 is inclusive of a frame structure comprising spaced housings 12, one at each end of the apparatus, one of which is illustrated in FIGURE 1, the end housings being connected by bolster rails 14, one of which is shown in FIGURE 1, and by a supply package mounting structure 16 and other frame members (not shown).

The structure 16 is equipped with a plurality of mandrels or supports (not shown), each mandrel arranged to support a supply package 20 of textile strand, yarn or filamentary material 22 to be twisted or processed through the use of the apparatus.

A bolster rail 14 is arranged at each side of the machine, one ibeing shown in FIGURE 1, each bolster rail supporting a plurality of bushing members or spindle mounting units 24, particularly shown in FIGURE 2. Each spindle mounting unit comprises a relatively stationary shaft or blade 26 having a tenon portion 2-8 extending through the bushing or member 24, a shoulder 30 on the-blade engaging the upper surface of the bushing or blade mounting member 24.

The lower end of the tenon 28 is threaded to accommodate securing nuts 32, a washer 34 being disposed between one of the nuts 32 and the bolster rail 14. The blade 26 receives a hollow or tubular spindle 36 fashioned at its lower end with a whorl 38 arranged to be engaged by a driving belt or tape 40 for rotating the spindle 36. The lower portion of the whorl 38 is fashioned with an axial recess accommodating an antifriction bearing or ball bearing construction 42 retained in assembled relation in the whorl 38 by a threaded ring or retainer 44.

The whorl 38 is provided with flanges 46 to maintain cooperative relation of the whorl with the driving belt. The upper end of the spindle 36 is provided with a recess accommodating antifriction bearings 48, the recess being closed by a cap 52. The spindles 36 are adapted to be driven simultaneously by a single drive belt or tape 56 adapted for engagement with the whorls 38. Idler rollers 58 are disposed adjacent the driving belt 56 and the whorls 38 and are relatively movable by conventional means (not shown) for moving the drive belt toward or away from an individual spindle to selectively establish or interrupt a drive to each spindle.

The belt 56 extends lengthwise of the apparatus and is engaged with a drive pulley 62 mounted upon a shaft 64 driven by an electrically energizable motor 66 through power transmission mechanism or gearing of conventional construction contained within a housing 63. The motor 66 is mounted upon a supplemental frame 70 adjacent one end of the twister apparatus.

The twister apparatus includes conventional ring rails '72, one at each side, arranged to be reciprocated in a vertical direction by conventional means (not shown) driven by the motor 66.

The ring rail is provided with circular openings 74 to accommodate the spindles and bobbins driven thereby, each circular opening being defined by a circular track 76 mounting a traveler or flyer '78 which is freely rotatable around the spindle and bobbin through which the strand or yarn 22 is threaded in the conventional manner. The twister apparatus includes a feed roll unit 851 of conventional character individual to each strand or yarn 22 for feeding the same from the package 20 at a speed at which the strand or yarn is to be wound upon a bobbin.

The strand or yarn feeding or advancing mechanism of each of the units 86 is driven from a shaft 84 rotated by a belt '86 from power transmission mechanism of conventional character enclosed in a housing 88 driven by mechanism in the housing 68 through pulleys and a belt 90.

Each of the units is constructed and arranged to interrupt the feed of a strand in the event of breakage. Each of the spindles 36 is arranged to mount or support a bobbin or collector 94- upon which strand or yarn is wound.

Most bobbins currently being used are fashioned of molded resinous material or plastic of rigid character having a comparatively thin wall. As shown in FIGURE 2, the lower end of the bobbin 94 may be fashioned with a circular flange 96 forming an abutment for filamentary material wound upon the bobbin. The conventional type of bobbin fashioned of molded resinou material is usually fashioned with an exterior surface 98 of cylindrical shape and the inner surface 100 is tapered throughout its length with the smaller diameter at the upper end. This taper or draft is necessary in the molding operation of forming the bobbin to facilitate removal of the bobbin from the molding dies.

This invention embraces a method and means for establishing an effective nonslipping drive between the spindle 36 and the bobbin 94. As particularly shown in FIGURE 2, the spindle 36 is fashioned at the upper region with a tenon 102 having a peripheral cylindrical surface 103, and the region of the spindle adjacent the whorl provided with a portion 104 of reduced diameter defined by a cylindrical peripheral surface 106.

Each of the portions 102 and 104 is adapted to receive and accommodate a driving means or media of a character arranged to be influenced by centrifugal forces to establish an effective substantially positive or nonslipping drive for a bobbin during rotation of the spindle and bobbin but which facilitates easy removal of the bobbin and strand or yarn package from the spindle and the assembly or mounting :of an empty bobbin onto the spindle. The driving means comprises yieldable power transmitting media which is distensible or distortable to establish a drive connection. As particularly shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, the driving means may be in the form of a cylindrical member or sleeve 110 fashioned of semi-hard rubber, yieldable molded plastic or other material adapted to be distorted or stressed under the influence of centrifugal forces. The peripheral region of the drive media or member 110 is fashioned with a plurality of spaced longitudinal recesses or flutes 112 providing teeth or lugs 114 which, as shown in FIGURE 3, are canted or askew with respect to a radius of the member. As viewed in FIG- URE 3, the spindle and bobbin, during winding operations, rotate clockwise in the direction of the arrow and the teeth or lugs 114 are angularly arranged or slanted in the same general direction. The teeth or lugs 114 of yieldable material fashioned in this manner provide a mobile media which, when rotated at a high speed, are stressed, flexed or distorted outwardly by centrifugal forces and tightly engage or grip the inner surface of the bobbin 94 to establish a friction drive which is positive or nonslipping by reason of the stresses set up by centrifugal forces augmented by the slanted or angular disposition of the teeth at the peripheral region of the sleeve 110.

Both sleeves or members 110 mounted on the spindle 36 in the manner illustrated are preferably of identical construction.

The surface 104 of the cylindrical portion 102 of the spindle is of a diameter such as to snugly receive the sleeve or member 110 and the exterior diameter of the peripheries of the teeth or lugs 114 in static condition is such that the bobbin is readily slidable onto the sleeve in static condition in contact wth the sleeve with a small amount of friction between the bobbin and the relaxed or stress relieved teeth or lugs 114 to assure rotation of the bobbin with the sleeve from a position of rest.

It is preferable that the diameter of the surface 106 of the reduced portion 104 of the spindle be slightly greater than the diameter of the portion 102. The sleeve or drive member 110, when telescoped over the spindle 36 to the position in engagement with the portion 104 is slightly stretched in radial directions by reason of the slightly larger diameter of portion 104 as compared with the diameter of portion 102. Thus the normal diameter of a peripheral surface defined by the tips of the unstressed teeth 114 of the sleeve 110 adjacent the lower end of the bobbin 94, as viewed in FIGURE 2, is slightly greater than the diameter of a peripheral surface defined by the unstressed tips of the teeth 114 of the sleeve 110 at the upper end of the bobbin.

Through this arrangement the teeth on the sleeve 110 at the bottom of the bobbin extend outwardly and radially an additional amount for initial contact or engagement with the adjacent interior surface of the bobbin to compensate for the draft or internal taper of the interior surface of the bobbin.

Thus, when a bobbin is mounted on or removed from the sleeves 110, the teeth'or lugs 114 are in normal static or relaxed position offering little frictional resistance to the sliding of the bobbin onto or away from the sleeves. If desired, the sleeves 110 may be cemented or bonded to the spindles.

As soon as rotation of the spindle 36 is initiated by the driving belt 56, centrifugal forces influence the yieldable teeth or lugs 114 to be stressed or distorted outwardly thereby greatly increasing the friction of the teeth on the sleeves 110 with the adjacent inner wall regions of the bobbin 94 and thereby establish an effective nonslipping drive for the bobbin 94. When the rotation of the spindle 36 ceases, the stresses in the teeth or lugs 114 caused by centrifugal forces are reduced to zero so that the bobbin bearing the strand or yarn package may be easily removed and replaced with an empty bobbin.

By reason of the yieldable, distort-able or mobile character of the material of the sleeves 110, the outwardlydirected centrifugal forces affect the teeth 114 uniformly so that there is positive and accurate alignment, centering or coincidence of the bobbin with the axis of rotation of the spindle, thereby substantially eliminating vibration and lost motion between the bobbin 94 and the drive sleeves 110.

The material of the sleeves, drive members or clutches 110 should be of a character pliable enough to be readily influenced or stressed by centrifugal forces to establish an effective frictional engagement between the teeth and the bobbin 94 to provide a satisfactory nonslipping drive for the bobbin.

If bobbins having interior cylindrical surfaces of uniform diameters are to be accommodated, the spindle portions 102 and 104 may be made of the same exterior diameter whereby the tips of the teeth 114 of the sleeves 110 are normally at equal distances from the axis of rotation of the spindle.

In the operation of this form of the invention, with the spindle at rest, the teeth 114 are in relaxed or substantially nonstressed condition. In this condition, the

bobbin may be easily telescoped onto the sleeves or removed therefrom as there is'only a small amount of friction normally between the teeth or lugs 114 and the bobbin. The amount of friction between the sleeves and the bobbin in static condition is suflicient to effect rotation of the bobbin upon initiating rotation of the spindle 36.

As soon as rotation of the spindle and the sleeves 110 is initiated, centrifugal forces act upon or influence the angularly disposed or askew teeth 114 setting up outwardly directed stresses or pressures of the teeth against the bobbin whereby greatly increased friction between the teeth and the bobbin establishes a substantially nonslipping drive connection between the teeth of the sleeves 110 and the bobbin 94. The effectiveness of the drive connection is further increased or augmented by the rotation of the sleeves 110 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 3, which tends to distort and wedge the teeth tightly against the inner surface of the bobbin.

Upon completion of a wound package of strand or yarn 22, the spindle is brought to rest by disengaging the drive belt 56 from the whorl. When the sleeves 110 and a bobbin 94 cease rotation, the stresses or pressures set up by centrifugal forces acting upon the teeth 114 are reduced to zero and the teeth 114 return to a relaxed or nonstressed condition. In static condition, the friction between the teeth 114 and the bobbin 94 is relatively minor, rendering it a relatively easy matter to slidably remove the filled bobbin or package from the spindle and mount an empty bobbin on the spindle.

During rotation of the bobbin, the centrifugal forces act on all of the teeth 114 in radially outward directions from the axis of rotation of the spindle and the sleeves 110 so that there is no lost motion or space to permit the bobbin to vibrate. Hence, the drive connection of the invention positively aligns or centers the axis of rotation of the bobbin with the axis of rotation of the spindle 36 thus enabling the rotation of the spindle and bobbin at very high speeds without appreciable vibration.

This is very important in the winding of large packages of filamentary material as some imbalance is encountered in the formation of a package of strand or yarn which is greatly amplified in winding large packages of increased weight. The sleeves 110 are fashioned of material such as rubber, synthetic rubber or resinous material which is pliable or yieldable to an extent to be influenced, distorted or stressed by centrifugal forces for establishing a bobbin drive.

FIGURE 5 is an elevational view similar to FIGURE 4 illustrating a modified form of tooth or lug construction on a bobbin drive sleeve. In this form the drive sleeve 118 is fashioned of yieldable synthetic rubber or resinous material with spiral flutes 120 providing spirallyshaped driving teeth or lugs 122. In cross-section, the teeth or lugs 122 are substantially the same configuration as the teeth or lugs 114 shown in FIGURE 3.

Two sleeves are mounted on a spindle and the diameter of the peripheral surfaces of the teeth 122 is such that in the static or nonrotating condition, a bobbin, such as the bobbin 94, may be readily and easily telescoped over the drive sleeves 118 as hereinbefore described in connection with the form shown in FIGURE 2. During rotation of the sleeves 118, the spirally-arranged teeth or lugs 122 are influenced, stressed or distorted outwardly of the axis of rotation of the sleeves against the inner surface of the bobbin 94 to establish an effective nonslipping friction drive connection for the bobbin.

FIGURE 6 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional configuration of a modified form of tooth or lug for a drive sleeve construction. In this form the driving sleeve 126, formed of yieldable synthetic rubber or the like, is fashioned with lengthwise arranged peripheral recesses 128 which are of greater depth and width than the recesses or flutes 112 shown in FIGURE 3.

The side walls 130 of the recesses 128 are in substantially parallel relation whereby the said side walls defining teeth or lugs 132 are angularly convergent as mdicated at 134.

The teeth 132 fashioned in this manner have restricted neck portions 136 which are of lesser thickness than the thickness of the outer end regions 138 of the teeth, as shown in FIGURE 6. As the flutes or recesses 128 are angularly arranged or askewed with respect to a radius of the sleeve, centrifugal forces of rotation are effective to flex or distort the teeth 132 outwardly and hence more nearly radial positions with respect to the center of rotation of the sleeve.

The teeth 132 therefore, under the influence of centrifugal forces and additionally by the direction of rotation of the sleeve as indicated by the arrow cause the teeth to be distorted outwardly and wedged tightly against the inner surface of the bobbin 94 to form a nonslipping friction drive connection. After a package is formed on the bobbin and rotation ceases, the teeth 132 relax to their initial unstressed condition facilitating easy removal of the filled bobbin from the spindle.

FIGURES 7 and 8 illustrate a modified form of drive transmitting media or sleeve means for driving a bobbin mounted on a spindle. This form is inclusive of an annular drive sleeve 144 of yieldable rubber, resinous material or the like, the interior diameter being of a dimension to snugly fit on the surfaces 103 and 106 of a spindle 36 of the character shown in FIGURE 2.

Integrally molded in the material of the annular sleeve 144 and extending lengthwise thereof is a plurality of peripherally spaced bobbin engaging members or lugs 146 which project slightly beyond the peripheral surface 148 of the annular member or sleeve 14-4.

The members 146 are disposed in angular or askew relation with respect to the center of rotation of the drive member 144, as shown in FIGURE 7. In static condition, the tips or edges 150 of the lugs or members 146 have only slight frictional engagement with a bobbin When the bobbin is telescoped onto the sleeves in operative position on the spindle.

Under the influence of rotation of the spindle, centrifugal forces acting on the lugs or components 146 exert radially outwardly directed pressures on the members 146 tending to cause the members 146 to be moved toward more nearly radial positions whereby the edges or tips 150 of the lugs 146 tightly engage the bobbin and, under the influence of comparatively high pressures developed by centrifugal forces, the [lugs or teeth 146 establish a nonslipping drive connection with the bobbin during rotation of the spindle. When rotation ceases and the centrifugal forces are reduced to zero, the yieldable sleeve relaxes and the lugs 146 assume their initial static or retracted positions facilitating easy removal of a filled bobbin and the application of an empty bobbin onto the spindle.

FIGURES 9 and illustrate a modified form of drive means, sleeve or adaptor for driving a bobbin by a rotatable spindle. The blade 26' is supported upon a bolster rail 14' by a bolster 24'. As particularly shown in FIG- URE 9, the spindle 171 journaled for rotation on the blade 26, is equipped with a whorl 172 at its lower end and a cap member 174 at its upper end. The spindle 170 is of uniform diameter throughout its length. Arranged to be telescoped on the spindle 170 is a force transmitting media or sleeve 176 of tubular shape of yieldable material which may be of a cross-section as illustrated in FIGURE 3 or 6.

The peripheral region of the sleeve 176 is fashioned with flutes 178 which provide spaced teeth or lugs 180 of the character of the teeth 114 shown in FIGURE 3 adapted for engagement with a bobbin telescoped over the member 176. The member 176 extends substantially full length of the body of the spindle 170 and is of an interior diameter such that it may be stretched onto the 3 spindle 171) before the removable cap 174 is afiixed to the spindle.

The drive sleeve arrangement 17 6 shown in FIGURES 9 and 10 may be advantageous-1y used for driving bobbins or collectors having cylindrical interiors of uniform diameter, the diameter of the member 176 in static condition being of a dimension to facilitate easy slidable movement of a bobbin onto or away from the sleeve 176.

The sleeve 176 although of uniform diameter throughout its length, may be used to support and drive bobbins or collectors having a slight interior taper and secure a satisfactory friction drive connection. Where an interiorly tapered bobbin is employed, the diameter of member 176 is such that the smaller diameter at the upper region of the bobbin engages the upper peripheral region of the member 176 with sufficient friction to initiate rotation of the bobbin whereby the bobbin maybe comparatively easily telescoped onto the drive sleeve 176 or removed therefrom as the lower region of the tapered interior of the bobbin does not engage the lower region of the drive sleeve 176 when in static condition.

During rotation of the spindle, centrifugal forces act on the peripheral teeth 1% in all regions throughout the length of the drive sleeve to establish outwardly directed pressure of the teeth against the interior surface of the bobbin. Due to the tapered interior of the bobbin, the regions of the teeth progressively spaced from the upper end of the drive sleeve, will be influenced by centrifugal forces to move outwardly greater distances than the teeth adjacent the small diameter interior region of the bobbin. Hence, centrifugal forces effectively establish a nonslipping friction drive with the bobbin throughout all or a major portion of its length.

As the centrifugal forces act uniformly upon the teeth to engage the bobbin, vibration is effectively eliminated as any clearance space between the lower region of the drive sleeve 1'76 and the lower region of the interior of the bobbin existent under static conditions is obviated during rotation as the regions of the teeth at the lower portion of the sleeve 176 are distorted further outwardly than the regions of the teeth at the upper portion of the sleeve. Upon cessation of rotation and reduction of centrifugal forces to zero, the teeth 180 of the drive sleeve return or relax to their static positions facilitating the easy removal of the bobbin from the drive sleeve.

FIGURES 11 and 12 illustrate another form of arrangement for establishing a centrifugally influenced drive connection between a spindle and a bobbin or collector. The spindle is journally mounted upon a blade 26", the blade being supported by a bolster 24" carried by a bolster rail 14". The construction shown in FIGURES 11 and 12 is of a character to readily adapt a comparatively small diameter spindle to a bobbin of substantially larger diameter. The arrangement shown in FIGURES 11 and 12 may employ drive sleeves or drive means 110", one being arranged adjacent each end region of the spindle 190.

In order to adapt the drive sleeves 110" to the spindle 190, a bushing or adaptor 192 is disposed at the upper end of the spindle and a similar adaptor 194 mounted on the lower region of the spindle.

The adaptors 192 and 194 are preferably fashioned of metal but may be made of substantially rigid resinous material or plastic, if desired. The adaptor 192 is provided at its ends with flanges 196 and 197 and the drive sleeve 110" is stretched over one of the flanges in assembling same on the bushing 192.

The lower adaptor 194 is provided :at its ends with flanges 198 and 199 to position the second drive sleeve 110" at the llOWCf end region of the spindle 190. Each of the bushings 192 and 194- is provided with threaded openings to accommodate setscrews 200 for securing the bushings to the spindle.

As illustrated in FIGURE 11, the exterior surface 202 of the bushing 192 is of lesser diameter than the exterior surface 204 of the lowermost bushing 194 whereby the drive sleeve 110" on the bushing 194 is stretched or distorted to a slightly greater diameter than the upper sleeve 110" to accommodate bobbins having tapered interior surfaces for the purposes hereinbefore mentioned.

The functioning of the arrangement shown in FIG- URE 11 is the same as the functioning of the arrangement shown in FIGURE 2. When the drive sleeves 110' are in static condition, a bobbin such as the bobbin 94 may be readily telescoped onto and removed from the drive sleeves 110" because of a small amount of friction between the sleeves and the bobbin.

During rotation of the spindle and drive sleeves, the sleeves of yieldable material are subjected to centrifugal forces establishing outwardly directed pressures against the interior wall of the bobbin to establish a nonslipping friction drive connection with the bobbin. The arrangement shown in FIGURE 11 reduces vibrations to a minimum and assures coincidence of the axis of the bobbin with the axis of rotation of the spindle.

FIGURE 13 illustrates an adaptor construction for a drive sleeve providing a novel locking means for securing the adaptor to a spindle or blade in the manner shown in FIGURE 14. The adaptor construction, as shown in FIGURES 13 and 14, comprises an adaptor 210 having a body 211 of generally cylindrical shape, the exterior peripheral surface adapted to accommodate a drive sleeve 110a in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 14, there being two adaptors 210 shown in FIGURE 14 mounted upon a blade or spindle 26a of the character shown in FIGURE 2. The spindle 26a is provided with a whorl 38a to accommodate a belt for driving the spindle or blade.

The adaptor body 21-1 is provided with a central or axial cylindrical passage 212 of a dimension to snugly yet slidably fit onto the spindle or blade 26a. An end region of the adaptor body 211 is provided with a tenon portion 214 of cylindrical shape, the center of the tenon 214 being eccentric with respect to the axis of the adaptor body 211 and the cylindrical passage 212.

A locking collar or member 216, shown in FIGURE 13, is of cylindrical shape and is fashioned with a central passage 218, the axis of which is concentric with the axis of the cylindrical exterior surface of the collar 216.

The collar 216 is fashioned with a counterbore 220 extending partially through the collar, the axis of the counterbore 220 being eccentric with respect to the common axis of the peripheral surface of the collar 216 and the passage 218. The tenon 214 is of a dimension to be snugly yet slidably received in the counterbore 220 in the locking collar 216. The combined eccentricity of the tenon 214 with respect to the central axis of the adaptor 210 and that of the counterbore 220 with respect to the axis of the passage 218 is only a few thousandths of an inch but is shown exaggerated in FIGURE 13 for purposes of illustration.

The collar 216 is provided with a transversely extending kerf or slot 222 which is adapted to accommodate a diametrically arranged projection 224 on the whol 38a, shown in FIGURE 14, whereby the collar 216 is positively driven by the spindle. In assembling the adaptor and collar on the spindle 26a, the collar 216 and adaptor body 211 are fitted onto the spindle to the position adjacent the whorl 38a. The adaptor body 211 is then rotated relative to the collar 216 and the engagement of the periphery of the eccentric tenon 214 with the periphery of the eccentric counterbore 220 effects a. wedging or locking of the adaptor body 211 and the collar 216 on the spindle 26a.

The adaptor body need only be rotated through a small portion of a revolution to effect the locking or wedging engagement of the collar and adaptor body with the spindle 26a. The second adaptor and collar arrangement shown in FIGURE 14 is asembled on the spindle in the same manner. The end of the adaptor 210 opposite the tenon 214 is preferably provided with a kerf 226 to enable assembly of the adaptor body 211 and collar 216 in a reversed position with the kerf 226 in engagement with the projection 224 on the whorl to establish a drive for the adaptor.

FIGURES 15 and 16 illustrate another form of adaptor construction for a bobbin drive sleeve. In this form, the adaptor 230 is fashioned with a cylindrical body 232 on which is mounted a drive sleeve 11%, shown in FIGURE 16. One end of the adaptor body 232 is fashioned with a flange 234 forming an abutment for one end of the drive sleeve 1111b. The flange 234 is provided with a diametrically arranged kerf 236 which may be employed to establish a drive connection with a projection such as projection 224 on the whorl 38a, shown in FIGURE 14, where the adaptor is used in inverse position from that shown in FIGURE 16.

The adaptor body is fashioned with a central or axial passage 238. The opposite end of the adaptor body 232 is fashioned with a tenon 240, the axis of which is eccentric with respect to the common axis of the passage 238 and the cylindrical body 232.

A locking collar 242, shown in FIGURE 13, is provided with a central passage 244, the axis of the passage 244 and the exterior cylindrical surface of the collar 242 being coincident. The collar is provided with a counterbore 246 extending partially through the collar 242, the axis of the counterbore 246 being eccentric with respect to the axis of the passage 244.

The tenon 240 is of a diameter to be snugly yet slidably received in the counterbore 246. The collar 242 is provided with a diametrically arranged kerf 250 which may be engaged with a projection of the character illustrated at 224 on the whorl 38a for establishing a drive connection with the collar 242 and the adaptor body 232. The adaptor body 232 and collar 242 are illustrated in assembled relation on a spindle 26b as shown in FIGURE 16.

The adaptor body and collar are received on the spindle with the passages 238 and 244 in aligned relation. in order to lock the adaptor on the spindle the adaptor body is rotated through a partial revolution relative to the collar 242 whereby the'eccentricities of the tenon 240 and the counterbore 246 effect a looking or wedging action of the adaptor body and collar on the spindle to securely hold the adaptor construction on the spindle.

The bobbin drive sleeve 11Gb may be stretched onto the body 232 of the adaptor 230 or may be bonded or adhesively joined to the peripheral surface of the adaptor body 232. It is to be understood that the adaptors shown in FIGUR-ES 13 through 16 may be of varying diameters to accommodate drive sleeves of varying diameters, the diameters of the drive sleeves being dependent upon the diameters of the bores in the bobbin arranged to be driven by the drive sleeves. The drive sleeves in all forms illustrated herein are of diameters slightly larger than the bores in the bobbins whereby a slight friction drive is initially established at all times between a sleeve and a bobbin.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modifications and different arrangements may be made other than as herein disclosed, and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the invention comprehending all variations thereof.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for packaging filamentary material on a twister machine including a support, means mounted by said support journally supporting a rotatable member, said rotatable member being adapted to accommodate a removable collector upon which filamentary material is to be wound, sleeve means of yieldable nonmetallic material mounted on the rotatable member, said sleeve means arranged to slidably receive the collector in frictional contact therewith, said sleeve means having lengthwise arranged linear projections adapted to be stressed under the influence of centrifugal forces of rotation to intimately engage the collector for driving the collector, said sleeve means being relaxable upon cessation of rotation whereby the collector may be slidably removed from the sleeve means.

2. Apparatus for packaging filamentary material including a support, means mounted by said support journally supporting a rotatable member, said rotatable member being adapted to accommodate a removable collector upon which filamentary material is to be wound, an adaptor having a passage to be received on the rotatable member, said adaptor having an eccentric surface, a locking member having an eccentric surface cooperating with the surface on the adaptor to secure the adaptor to the rotatable member, distensible sleeve means mounted on the adaptor, said sleeve means arranged to slidably receive the collector and adapted to be distended under the influence of centrifugal forces of rotation to establish a substantially nonslipping drive for the collector.

3. Apparatus for packaging filamentary material on a twister machine including a support, means mounted by said support journal ly supporting a rotatable spindle, said rotatable spindle being adapted to mount a removable bobbin upon which filamentary material is to be wound, sleeve means of rubber-like material mounted on the rotatable spindle, said sleeve means having a plurality of peripherally-spaced projections normally arranged for slight frictional contact with the interior surface of the bobbin in static condition, said projections being arranged to be stressed outwardly by centrifugal forces during ro tation of the sleeve means into intimate engagement with the bobbin to thereby establish a substantially nonslipping friction driving connection for the bobbin, said projections being stress relieved upon cessation of rotation.

4. Apparatus for packaging filamentary material by Winding the material on a bobbin including, in combination, support means, a blade mounted by the support means, a spindle journaled for rotation on said blade, an adaptor having a body formed with a lengthwise bore to be received on the spindle, said body having a portion formed with an eccentric surface, a locking member having a bore to be received on the spindle, said locking member having an eccentric surface cooperable with the eccentric surface on the adaptor body whereby relative rotation between the body and locking member locks the adaptor to the spindle, a sleeve of rubber like material mounted on said adaptor body, said sleeve adapted to support a bobbin telescoped onto the sleeve, said sleeve having distortable regions arranged to be stressed outwardly by centrifugal forces during rotation to thereby establish a substantially nonslipping drive connection for the bobbin.

5. Apparatus for packaging filamentary material by winding the material on a bobbin including, in combination, support means, a blade mounted by the support means, a spindle journaled for rotation on said blade, a pair of sleeves of rubber-like material mounted by said spindle in spaced relation, said sleeves having ang-ularly arranged peripheral projections adapted to frictionally engage and support a tubular bobbin telescoped onto the sleeves, the peripheral region of one of said sleeves disposed on said spindle being of slightly greater diameter to accommodate a tapered interior surface of the bobbin, said angularly arranged lengthwise extending peripheral projections arranged to be stressed outwardly by centrifugal forces during rotation to thereby establish a substantially nonslipping drive connection for the bobbin.

6. Apparatus for packaging filamentary material by winding the material on a bobbin including, in combination, support means, a blade mounted by the support means, a spindle journaled for rotation on said blade, a pair of sleeves of rubber-like material mounted on said spindle in spaced relation, said sleeves adapted to support and frictionally engage a tubular bobbin telescoped onto the sleeves, the region of the spindle supporting one of the sleeves being of greater diameter than the diameter of the spindle region supporting the other of the sleeves whereby the diameter of the peripheral region of one of the sleeves is greater than the diameter of the peripheral region of the other in nonrotating condition, the peripheral regions of both sleeves being provided with projections arranged to be influenced by centrifugal forces of rotation into intimate engagement with the interior surface of the bobbin to.estab'lish a substantially nonslipping friction drive for the bobbin.

7. A drive means for a rotatable bobbin for packaging filamentary material including an adaptor arranged to be mounted on a rotatable member, said adaptor comprising an elongated body having a bore therethrough of a diameter to be slidably received on the rotatable member, said adaptor body being formed with a cylindrical surface eccentric with respect to said bore, a locking collar having a bore therethrough of a diameter to be slidably received on the rotatable member and formed with a cylindrical surface eccentric with respect to the bore therein, said eccentric surfaces being interengaged in assembly of the body and locking collar on the rotatable member and arranged whereby relative rotative movement between the body and collar locks the body and collar on the rotatable member, and a bobbin engaging element mounted on said body.

8. A drive means for a rotatable bobbin for packaging filamentary material including an adaptor arranged to be mounted on a rotatable member, said adaptor comprising a first body having a bore therethrough of a diameter to be slidably received on the rotatable member, a second body having a bore therethrough of a diameter to be slidably received on the rotatable member, one of said bodies being formed with a tenon having a surface eccentric with respect to the bore therein, the other of said bodies having a counterbore eccentric with respect to the bore thereon, said tenon arranged to be received in the counterbore in assembly of the bodies on the rotatable member whereby relative rotation between the bodies locks the bodies on the rotatable member, and bobbin engaging means on one of said bodies.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 769,675 7/ 1904 Allen 242-46.5 2,136,073 11/1938 Cooper 24246.5 2,304,370 12/ 1942 Neal 571 30 2,755,027 7/1956 Jones et a1. 57--l30 2,887,278 5/1959 Bauer 2424 6.5 3,048,002 8/1962 Jost 57129 3,167,262 1/1965 Adams et a1 57130 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,297,950 5/196'2 France.

FRANK J. COHEN, Primary Examiner.

MERVIN STEIN, Examiner.

D. E. WATKINS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING FILAMENTARY MATERIAL ON A TWISTER MACHINE INCLUDING A SUPPORT, MEANS MOUNTED BY SAID SUPPORT JOURNALLY SUPPORTING A ROTATABLE MEMBER, SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER BEING ADAPTED TO ACCOMODATE A REMOVABLE COLLECTOR UPON WHICH FILAMENTARY MATERIAL IS TO BE WOUND, SLEEVE MEANS OF YIELDABLE NONMETALLIC MATERIAL MOUNTED ON THE ROTATABLE MEMBER, SAID SLEEVE MEANS ARRANGED TO SLIDABLY RECEIVE THE COLLECTOR IN FRICTIONAL CONTACT THEREWITH, SAID SLEEVE MEANS HAVING LENGTHWISE ARRANGED LINEAR PROJECTIONS ADAPTED TO BE STRESSED UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF CENTRIFUGAL FORCES OF ROTATION TO INTIMATELY ENGAGE THE COLLECTOR FOR DRIVING THE COLLECTOR, SAID SLEEVE MEANS BEING RELAXABLE UPON CESSATION OF ROTATION WHEREBY THE COLLECTOR MAY BE SLIDABLY REMOVED FROM THE SLEEVE MEANS. 